Post-production redefined...during production
Everyone from broadcasters to indie filmmakers can probably agree on one thing: the possible choices for image acquisition are daunting. Different cameras, different formats, different recording media and different compression schemes. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to simplify acquisition so that virtually any camera, digital or analog, could record the same format and resolution? Enter the AJA Ki Pro.

The AJA Ki Pro is a tapeless video recording device that records high-quality Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files onto computer-friendly media. Because it features SD/HD-SDI, HDMI, and analog inputs, you can interface with virtually any type of camera you might own or rent. Enjoy monitoring flexibility through Ki Pro's numerous simultaneous outputs, connecting to both professional and consumer monitors.

Ki Pro is portable and rugged; designed for real production environments. With the optional exo-skeleton it can sit below your camera-out of the way of your battery adapters, wireless mics and other accessories. Integration with your other production gear is seamless.

Ki Pro is intuitive to operate. Alongside the camera, the familiar VTR-like buttons provide immediate controls for basic operation. From a distance, use a web browser via ethernet or WiFi to control operations from a laptop or iPhone.

Features

• Simultaneously record to host camera and Ki Pro
• Bridge proprietary compression schemes by recording to Apple ProRes 422
• Bridge media complexity by recording to portable file-based storage
• Bridge format chaos via hardware up/down/cross-conversion
• Extend client review capabilities
• Bridge production and post-production, effectively eliminating log and capture
• Extend productive life of existing cameras
• Embrace future workflows with powerful conversion capabilities
• Includes removable HDD Storage Module containing a 250GB hard disk drive (standard)

A revolution in production and post
Eliminate the cost and inconvenience of logging and capturing footage. Ki Pro produces Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files that are ready for immediate use within Final Cut Studio. Simply connect the media to a host computer and begin editing. Unify SD, 720 and 1080 cameras and formats with one superior 10-bit full-raster codec-Apple ProRes 422. Ki Pro features cross-conversion so you can have a 720p camera produce a 1080i recording to match your other camera... or vice versa. And if you've got high-quality SD cameras, Ki Pro can even help you extend their use since it also up-converts SD camera signals to HD recordings.

• No more digitizing
• No more worrying about which camera to use
• High-quality ready-to-edit video

Ki Pro in the field
Ki Pro is portable and rugged; designed for a variety of production environments. Powered through an industry standard 4-pin XLR, you have flexible AC and battery options. An optional exo-skeleton can be used with your camera and tripod-complete with sliding baseplate and slots for 15mm rods.

Ki Pro connects
Capture the full quality of your camera by tapping the direct uncompressed camera outputs. Connect any digital camera or VTR via component analog, SDI or HDMI to Ki Pro. Balanced and unbalanced audio connectors, LTC input/output, and even LANC, are provided. By bypassing tape or recordable media compression, Ki pro maintains the best possible image quality your camera produces.

Ki Pro and Final Cut Studio
From acquisition to delivery, use the codec at the core of Apple's Final Cut Studio suite of applications. Ki Pro supports an Apple file-based workflow by recording standard Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files on industry standard media. Record to removable 34mm ExpressCards, or a removable HDD Storage Module containing a 250GB hard disk drive (standard) or an optional SSD Storage Module with a solid state disk. When removed, the Storage Module functions as a standard bus-powered FireWire 800 drive. If bus power is not available, the Storage Module can be powered from an AC power adapter (supplied).

The Aja Ki Pro was the hit of NAB2009. This amazing product allows professional shooters and Final Cut editors to record directly into ProRes 422 QuickTime files while shooting via SDI, HDMI or Analog inputs! With a price point of $3,995 the Ki Pro is clearly aimed at professionals, as you can see from the rugged field production design. If you're editing in Final Cut and shooting HD the time saved and added workflow efficiency should pay for itself in a matter of months.

Click here to read the full article

Ki Pro Bridges Gap Between Camera Acquisition and Post,  Recording Directly to Apple ProRes 422 Codec

Grass Valley, CA (September 3, 2009)—AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, today released Ki Pro, a portable tapeless video device that records files to the Apple ProRes 422 codec directly from camera. AJA will be demonstrating Ki Pro at IBC 2009 from Sept. 11-15, 2009 at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam in Hall 7, Stand F-11.

Ki Pro provides a new way of connecting production and post with its extensive analog and digital connectivity; virtually any video and audio source can be fed into Ki Pro to record pristine 10-bit ProRes 422 media that is then immediately available to edit within Apple’s Final Cut Studio.

“We have had unprecedented interest in this product, and remarkable pre-release sales coming off of our recent 24-city Ki Pro global road show,” said Nick Rashby, president, AJA Video Systems. “We’re pleased to be shipping a very robust 1.0 version, and will be supporting our customers with frequent software updates and additions. Ki Pro provides significant workflow efficiencies for everyone from cinematographers and filmmakers to editors and post professionals.”

Ki Pro allows filmmakers, broadcasters, video professionals and prosumers to skip the process of re-rendering to an editing codec by giving immediate access to full raster edit-ready Apple ProRes 422 files directly from camera. Ki Pro records hours of media to a removable storage module. The device is a small, portable unit that can sit on a table, in a bay or mounted between a camera and tripod. Ki Pro is also ideal for on-set monitoring, providing instant access to multiple display devices simultaneously. 

  Core Ki Pro Features:

• Record hours of pristine Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime media to a removable storage module that offers built-in FireWire 800 for immediate editing and file access on OSX.
• Record natively to Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ for full raster 10-bit 4:2:2 HD and SD.
• Bridge proprietary compression schemes by recording to the edit-friendly Apple ProRes 422 codec.
• Connect any digital camera via SDI or HDMI, or any analog camera with multiple input options. 
• Convert in real time from SD to HD, or 720 to/from 1080, in full 10-bit quality.
• Extend client review capabilities with simultaneous recording to camera and to Ki Pro.
• Extend productive life of existing cameras and embrace future workflows with powerful conversion capabilities.
• Built-in WiFi and Ethernet for complete control via a web-browser, or iPhone.

As you would expect, we've put together some mighty aggressive bundles with KiPro and the new FCS3 to get things launched. Videoguys.com Ki Pro Bundles